Brass discoloration

[natomasboy]

I've been processing lots of .40SW brass using the Lyman 1200 tumbler with crushed walnut. Most of the brass is in good condition but there's about 200 that look like this:

(Left is uncleaned and Right is after being tumbled)


It doesn't have any dents, pitting, splits, or cracks. Are these safe to reload or should I just toss them out? I've set them all aside but knowing I have a lot "better looking" brass to use for my loads.

[will227457]

were did you get that? jeez, I wouldn't load it, but what do I know...

[Chk Chk Boom]

For how long did you tumble it? That looks like only a couple hours or so. Try tumbling it for a day or two?

But to quote will227457 "but what do I know..." haha

[natomasboy]

Tumble for a day or two?!! the most I tumble is 2 hours. I thought that was the norm.

I purchased the brass from a fellow Calgunner. Most of it was in good condition while 5% was in the condition that you see here.

[SixPointEight]

soak it in solvent for 6 months or so..then tumble it lol

[Bug Splat]

Yuck that looks awful. I tumble for at least 4 hours. 2 hours in untreated cob to clean the gunk and 2 hours in treated walnut to polish.

If you rub the case with steel wool does it bring out the shine of the brass or is the discoloration in the metal. If its in the metal you could try things like annealing the brass to burn off the impurities but to be honest its not worth it for 40S&W brass or any pistol brass you can find by the hundreds on range floors.

If you want more brass just go to your local range and hang out next to a guy shooting factory ammo. Ask him if you can have his brass if you "clean it up". I've never had anyone say no. They think they just suckered someone into cleaning up their mess.

[rockdogz]

I usually tumble 4-6 hours or overnight.

I sure am dizzy after that.

Tumble for a day or two?!! the most I tumble is 2 hours. I thought that was the norm.

[mif_slim]

I usually tumble 4-6 hours or overnight.

I sure am dizzy after that.

lol, made my day.

[Sky_DiveR]

....to be honest its not worth it for 40S&W brass or any pistol brass you can find by the hundreds on range floors.

If you want more brass just go to your local range and hang out next to a guy shooting factory ammo. Ask him if you can have his brass if you "clean it up". I've never had anyone say no. They think they just suckered someone into cleaning up their mess.

+1 with Bug Splat. 40 S&W is way too plentiful to waste time with range pick-ups like that. How much mud came out of that brass? I think it's been out way too long in the elements to salvage.

Just my $0.02

[grammaton76]

When I have some brass that still looks dirty after cleaning but the rest looks fine, the dirty brass goes back into the "brass to clean" box while the clean brass goes on to the "ready for prep" box.

I maintain "brass to clean" boxes organized by throat diameter - so there's a .22 box which holds 5.56mm/223, 5.7x28mm, etc etc. The .30 box has a lot of different calibers; the .38 box holds 357 mag, 38spl, 9mm, and .380, etc.

If a case is starting to look familiar after several runs, maybe it's time to toss it.

[Sky_DiveR]

...I maintain "brass to clean" boxes organized by throat diameter - so there's a .22 box which holds 5.56mm/223, 5.7x28mm, etc etc. The .30 box has a lot of different calibers; the .38 box holds 357 mag, 38spl, 9mm, and .380, etc....

Man, when I grow up, I want to be just like you .

I'm currently working off the pile system... A pile for everything and everything in it's pile. Scary part is, I can still find stuff when I need to. Go figger.LOL

[SixPointEight]

I still work the pile system in my bedroom!

[grammaton76]

Man, when I grow up, I want to be just like you .

I'm currently working off the pile system... A pile for everything and everything in it's pile. Scary part is, I can still find stuff when I need to. Go figger.LOL

I have to say, I didn't work out my current system until I discovered that the Sterilite stacking containers from Wally World could be VERY good friends with my label gun!

Once you have labels on those containers, it feels like a crime not to use it.

It also helps that the container size I use is almost PERFECTLY matched for the capacity of my Dillon CV-500. When your Sterilite container is full, it's worth running a CV-500 load.

http://www.sterilite.com/Category.html?Section=Storage&ProductCategory=41

[Nacinator]

Shoot me an Email or a PM I live in Marysville I'll give you a Gallon sized ziploc bag of Nickle or Brass 40 S&W for free. Toss that Sh*t

[Seesm]

like one said keep cleaning in each batch it will clena up... 8 hrs Ic clean and use no polish... My father in law doe sit like me but with polish and his is nice when it comes out. Walnut I think for both of us.